WATERLOO, Ont. — Marcus Shantz will become Conrad Grebel University College’s eighth president Oct. 1.

The Board of Governors cited Shantz’s leadership skills, contributions to local business and arts organizations, engagement in the local and global church and firsthand knowledge of Grebel and its stakeholders.

“Marcus is a strong supporter of the college’s unique identity and mission,” said board chair Fred Redekop. “His business and administrative experience and his background in law have equipped him to lead strategically, fiscally and creatively into the next decade.”

Shantz is a leader in the Waterloo region in his role as president of Mercedes Corp., a property management company based in St. Jacobs. He has held leadership roles at Rockway Mennonite Church and Mennonite World Conference. As a civic leader, Shantz has been board chair of Centre-in-the-Square and Silver Lake Mennonite Camp and has served on the boards of Ten Thousand Villages and Conrad Grebel University College.

As an alumnus of Grebel and the University of Waterloo, he completed a bachelor of arts degree in religious studies and history with a peace and conflict studies minor at Waterloo. He received a juris doctor degree from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and then practiced law.

“Grebel is not a large institution, but it has a far-reaching influence on the Mennonite community, the University of Waterloo and its other partners. Grebel’s contribution to both church and society is out of proportion to its size. I am drawn to Grebel because it is significant,” Shantz said. “I am impressed by the quality of teaching and research among the current faculty at Grebel. I want to explore new ways to build on their work and to expand its impact.”

Shantz will lead Grebel to fulfill the vision of the current strategic plan, “Extending the Grebel Table.” The priorities are to engage Grebel’s growing constituencies, enhance campus facilities, elevate and expand distinctive programs, enrich and empower faculty, staff and partners, and advance the core relationships of the college with the University of Waterloo and its affiliated institutions and the Mennonite church.

Interim President Jim Pan­kratz has served since October. Susan Schultz Huxman served as president for five years.